.MjE.MjM

Richmond May 26th
                         1862
Dear Sister
    I take my pen in hand
to write you a few lines before the
Yankees get me. we expect a terrible
battle every day close to the city
as they are not more than a few
miles off. there has been some
skirmishing already and the
booming of cannon is distinctly
heard here indicating the Storm
approaching that is about to burst
upon us at any moment. I expect
to take part in the performance.
Jeff Davis say's he is deter-
mined to defend Richmond to
the last extremity. you know that
the Merrimack has been blown
up. what do you think of it.
I tell you what I think it
was. from what I can under
stand since that it was un

neccessary if not criminal as
I see no good reason for so doing.
she could have laid at the mouth
of James River and protected
it from the ingress off the enemys
Gunboats. there is something
rotten in Denmark. a dispatch
came in to day stating that
Jackson had gained a victory
at Winchester. I hope it is so.
if the Yanks whipt us here I
shall despair of our success.
I wish we had Old Beaure
gard here I would have ten
times more confidence than
I have in the others all put
to-gether except Price and
Jackson. Johnston in my
opinion is too fond of retreat
ing and not fighting. that
is the reason I believe that

the enemy is so close to us now
at the very gates of the Capital.
it is a wonder that they didnt
evacuate Virginia altogether.
when they have chances to attack
the enemy they wont do it. but
wait and look on gaping un
til Mc [strike-through] Mc Cllellan outwits
them and then they have to
retreat and destroy their
stores. we ought to have a General
like old Bonaparte. he never
waited for the enemy to attack
him but always attacked them
whenever an opportunity came.
Beauregard and Jackson
approaches nearer to him in
that respect than the others
he would went right into
Washington at Mannassas
if old Davis had let him.

well let things be as they may.
look out for a small row
over here before many day's
in which I wouldnt be sur
prised if somebody should
get hurt. I understand you
dont receive my letters regular
although I answer you every
time you write. it is the
carelessness of the Post office
Clerk I reckon. give my
love to all and accept the
same for yourself. Good
bye until I write again
from your affectionate
Brother Henry W Smart